Philadelphia led for 40 seconds and lost by 22: 101-123 to the Celtics

Highlights

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Forty-five minutes and forty-four seconds. That is how much of this game belonged to Boston. Philadelphia was in front for exactly 40 seconds — its biggest lead of the night was a single point — while the Celtics built a gap that peaked at 29 and won 123-101.

The shape was set early: 30-23 in the opening quarter, then 32-28 for a 62-51 halftime margin. Philadelphia's only winning period was the third, taken 31-29, and even then Boston never blinked — its longest run of the night reached 17 straight points, nearly twice Philadelphia's best burst of nine. The fourth finished the job: 32-19, carrying the lead out to its 29-point high.

The glass was a dead heat — 43 rebounds to 42, offensive boards level at eight each — so the separation came from possession. Boston turned it over 8 times to Philadelphia's 13 and stacked 28 assists against 23, steadier hands on a steadier night.

Paul George was the difference on the scoresheet: 36 points on 64 percent shooting, five rebounds and a plus-17. Jayson Tatum chipped in 21 points, six rebounds and four assists. Tyrese Maxey pushed back with 24 points on 67 percent shooting, yet Joel Embiid managed just 16 on 22 percent from the field, and LeBron James closed with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

The endgame was bookkeeping. Labaron Philon's free throw at 92-118, Anfernee Simons' two-point answer at 95-118 and his three at 98-118 only kept the scoreboard honest; Hugo Gonzalez answered with a three for 98-121 and a bucket for 98-123, and Simons' last deep blast produced the game's final number, 101-123. On this floor, 40 seconds of hope was all Philadelphia could buy.